Pneumatic-despatching-tube system.



PATEN'TED APR. 3, 1906.

J. J. STOETZBL. PNEUMATIC DBSPATGHING TUBE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 20, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHBET l.

PATENTBD APR. 3, 1906.

J. I. STOETZEL. PNEUMATIC DESPATOHING TUBE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 No. 817,016. PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

J. J. STOETZEL. PNEUMATIC DESPATGHING TUBE SYSTEM. APPLICATION TILED NOV. 20, 1005.

s SHEETS-SHBET s.

s FATE JOSEPH J. STOETZEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL PNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION COMPANY. OF MAINE. 'PNIE UM'l'lC -DE$PATCHING"TUBE SY$TENL Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Novcmb er ZO, 1905. semi No. 288,175.

To (all Mill/01ft it may concern; v Be it known that I, Josnrn J. STOETZEL, a cltizen ot the Unlted States of America, and

.a resident of Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic- Despatchingflube Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic desvatch-tube systems of the vacuum type, and. as particular reference to systems in which the stations are comparatively close together, as in store systems. The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved type of pneumatic transmission system in which the tubes are normally closed, the air being exhausted therefrom and-the carriers driven alon the I tubes by means of air admitted behind the carrier, to provide in systems of this class in1- proved means for controlling the air ad1n1ssion, so as to economize power and admit onl sulficient air to accomplish the work which is to be performed, and to provide animproved form of gate at the receiving-terminal adapted to be controlled pneumatically, so as to open automatically in advance ofthe carrierand instantly close as soon as the carrier has passed. y

A further object is to provide an improved form of air-admission mechanism which ma be located at one part of the system and wi 1 control the movement of carriers inserted into the transit-tubes at any other point along the same, said air-controlling means being adapted to operate automatically under the fluctuation of pressure throughout the sys tern dueto the mrush of air when a carrier is inserted therein.

These objects are accomplished by the device shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a store system of pneumatic transmission apparatus Fig. 4, showing in elevation the r-shaped receiving-terminal.

In the system shown in the drawings, the cashiers desk and the salesmans counter are connected by two transmission-tubes for transmitting carriersin o posite directions. These are connected toget ier by an air-passage at the salesmans terminal, so as to form a continuous passage for air. end of the line the incoming tube is connected with a suction ap aratus, while the out oing tube is provided with an air-inlet va vefor admitting air to the system for the purpose of drivlng carriers along eitherof the tubes. i

In the construction shown in the drawings the cashiers desk is indicated at 6 and the salesmans counter is indicated at 7. These stations are connected by the parallel transit-tubes 8 and 9, which are respectively p the outgoing and incoming tubes atthe cashiers end of the line. These tubes are provided with valves at their terminals, which are normally closed, so that the system is sealed during the periods of disuse. Air is exhausted from the system through the suction-tube 10, which connects with a suction drum or header 11, which is connected with the pumping mechanism, this pumping mechanism being arranged to adapt itself to the demands of the system, as is usual in devices of this class.

At the salesmans station the incoming tube 8 is arched u )ward, so as to discharge the carriers in a ownward direction upon the counter 7. The deliverytern1inal at this point is closed-by means of a leather flapout the system when all of the gates are closed. The apertures 17, which connect the passage 15 with the tubes 8 and 9, are preferably bridged to prevent their edges from obstructing the free passageof a carrier.

The delivery-terminal 18 at the cashiers Patented April a, 190e,

At the cashier's ininal '18 by means of the valve 23, which isv suction branch 22.

station is provided with a curved partition 19 for deflecting the carriers into the funnel 20 at the upper end of the delivery-tube 21. The partition 19 is provided with bridged apertures which connect the tube 9 with the The tube 9 is normally closed against the entrance of air at the terheld in a closed position by outer air-pres sure, This valve is arranged to open outwardly through contact with a carrier when the same is delivered from the tube 9.

The recoiving-terininal at the cashiers end of the line consists of a horizontally-disposed tubular part '24, normally closed against the admission of air by means of a gate-valve 25.

A branch tube 26 extends vertically downdcr iit has ports 32 and 38 at respectively opposite sides of the piston 36. These ports communicate with a valve-casin 34, which in the form shown is integral with the cylinder 31. The valve casing 34 is connected by the pipe 35 with the suction-pi e10 and is open to the atmosphere at 36 an 40. A pis ton-valve 37 controls the port 33 and is arranged to be shifted in the valve-casing, so as trois the port 32.

ort 33 to be either in commu nication with t e air-inlet 36 or with the suctionpipe 35. The valve-casing 84 is connected with the port 32 b means oi" a cored passage or pipe 38. The piston-valve 39 con- Th'e pistons 37 and 39 are both mounted upon thestem 41, which extends upwardiy into the receiving terminal 24 and serves as a trip for shifting tne pistons 37 and 39 when a carrieris inserted into the receiving-terminal, A11 inclined arm 42, ivoted at 43', serves to depress the trip 41 w on a carrier is inserted. Y v

, The valve 28 is operated by means of a rod 44, which extends verticaiiy u ward throu h the center of said valve into t is branch tu e 26. The rod 44 is connected with a iston 45, which is vertically slidahle in the cy incler 46. This cylinder is connected at its lower end with the suction-drum 11 b means of the pipe 47 and the spaces in the cylinder above and below the piston 45 are connected together by means 0 a by-pass passage 48, controlled by a valve 49. The rod 44 1s hollow and communicates with the space above the piston 45 through apertures 50. The interior of the rod 44 also communicates at its upper end with the interior of the tube to permit said si /pie 26 through apertures 51. A leather checkvalve 52 is mounted above the piston 45, so as to perinitair to flow from the apertures 50 into the cylinder, but to prevent a returnfiow. The aperturesv 51 at the upper end of the rod 44 are controlled by means of a floating valve 53, which is loosely slidable u on the rod 44, being adapted to normally fa to an open position, as shown in Fig. 3, and to be carried upward to close the apertures 51 by the inrush of air when the valve 28 is open. The stops 54 and 55 limit the movement of the valve 53 on the rod 44. The

valve 28 is also loosel slidable on the rod 44, and its movement is limited by stops '56 and 57. The spring 58 normally urges the piston 45 to its upperposition, as shown in Fig. 3.

The operation of the device shown is as follows: In the drawings all of the arts of the system are shown in their-.norma position of inactivity. It is assumed that the action of the pumps connected with the suction-drum 11 is continuous and is so controlled to instantly take care of the varying demands made upon it between periods of disuse of the system and periods during which carriers are transmitted along the transit-tubes. When a carrier is inserted into the mouth 59 of the receiving-terminal 24 at the cashiers station,

said carrier will depress the trip 41.and shift the pistons 39 and 37 downward. This will open the pipe 38 to connect the port 33 with the suction-pipe The piston 30 will therefore instantly swing the gate 25 out of the path of the carrier and will permit the same to be drawn into the transit-tube 8. As, soon as the carrier leaves the trip 41 the spring 60 will return the pistons 37 and 39 to their normal ositions. The suction through the port 32, w 'ch is in communication with the upper end of the cylinder 31, will cooperate with the air entering the port 33 for instantly closing the valve 25. At theinstant when the valve 25 opens the inrush of air with the carrier causes a sud den rise in the pressure in the tube 8. This causes air to enter the branch tube 26 and ass into the apertures 51, through the holow rod 44, and into theup er part of the cy inder 6. The pressure o this air instantly forces the piston 45 downward and opens the valve 28 in case said valve has not already opened under the action of gravity when the inrushing air has for an instant brought the pressure inside of the tube 26 to approximately that of the atmosphere. In case the valve 28 has not opened by gravity the descent of the piston 45 causes the stop 56 to engage the valve 28 and force it from its seat. As soon as the valve 28 has opened the inrush of air at the lower end of the tube 26 will carry with it the floating valve'53, closing the apertures 51. The air above the piston will then pass through the byass passage 48 into the lower part or" the cy inder until all of the air at 40 and will oyiinderthrough the rode l efore the valve the-air rushing, into the tube 8 from the tube 26 would tend to equalize the greater area than the gate 25, so as to nor ;mally hold said gate [11 a closed position when 'the pressures in the tube 8 and 1n the port 32 the economy of the system. "When a carrier ,Q'ato25ln1d accordingly causes the piston 45 the effect .0

single air-adm tting device controls the en'- the air in said cylinder is at the Same pressure as thesuction-drum 11. The piston 45 will be returned to its upper position by means of the spring 58, this upward moven'ient of the piston being timed by the flow of air through the by pass &8. The valve 49 permits of regulating such timing. In order to prevent the escape of air from the u per part of the 53 has closed the apertures 51, (thus permittin the iston to rise too rapidly and distur ing tie timing calculation,) the checkvalve .52 is provided topreventsuch return- How of air. The closing of thegate 25'is assisted by the opening of the valve 28, since each side of the gate 25. The piston 30 is of are approximately equal. The valve &9 is so regulated as to cause the valve28 to close as soon as sul'licient air has been admitted to transmit the carrier to its destination at the desired speed. This avoids the entrance of any excess of air which would require unnec eseary pumping energy, and therefore reduce is inserted at the salesmans' receivingterminal 13, the inrushot' air would for an instant destroy the vacuum'in the tube 8 and cause a sudden increase of pressure throughout the lengt. of such tube. This increase of pressure h a the same client as the opening of the to deseeiuljarnl the valve 28 to open. Air is again admittedin sullicient quantity to drive: the carrier through the tiansietube 9 anddeliver it to the "cashless desk; Thcgates 14 close insta-r'itgiy after the admission of the carrier, so that in this case again the amount of air admitted to the ihzstem would be exactly suilicicnt for transmitting the carrier. case a series of carriers are inserted in the system in re )id succession each would have i operating the mechanism for opening the valve 28, so that the said valve would remain open a sullicicnt length of time after the last carrier has been inserted into the system to insure the carrying of said carrier to its destination. l l t will be seen that by this arrangements tire system, thus simplifying and cheaponing the construction of the system.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is--- 1. in a pneumatic-despatch-tube system, the combination of a normally closed transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a sending-statipn arranged-to permit a carrier to be inserted into the tube, means for exhausting air from the tube, and a valve adapted to admitair into the tube for drivair from the tube near its other end, a lurality of receivingstations through w ich =carriers may be inserted into the tube, and

mechanism l'or opening said air-valve to ad mit air for driving a carrier alon the tube when the carrier is inserted at either of said receiving-stations.

3. Ina pneumatic-despatolntube system, the combination of a normally closed transittu be through which carriers are transmitted, an air-inlet valve at one end of the tube and normally closed, means for exhausting air from the tube near its other end, a plurality of receivingctations through which carriers may beinecrted into the tube, and pneumatic means for opening said air-valve to admit air for driving a carrier along the tube when a carrier is inserted at eithei' of said rewith the delivery-terminal at the other sta- I tion, an air inlet valve communicating with the receiving-terminal at said other station, 1

.said air valve being normally closed, and

mechanism adaptedto. open said air-valve whena carrieris inserted into either of said transit-tubes.

21A. in a 'pnumatimdespatoh-tubesystem,

the eoinbinhtion-of-a pair of normally closed transit-tubes connectingtwo stations and having their receiving anddelivery terniinitls at respectively opposite stations, an air-passage connecting said tubes at one of said stations, suction apparatus communicating with the delivery-terminal at the other statlon, an

airinlet valve communicating withthe receivin terminal at said other station, said alr-va ve being normally closed, and meeh anisni adapted to open said air-valve through a change of the pressure in the transit-tubes.

6. In a pneumatio-despatch-tubc system, the combination of a pair of normally closed transit tubes connecting two stations and having their receiving and delivery terminals at respectively opposite stations, an air-passage connecting said tubes at one of said sta tions, suction apparatus connnunicating with the dehvery-ternunal at the other station, an

air-inlet valve communicating with the re sion of air at the receiving-terminal,

air-valve bein normally closed, and mechanism adapte to open sa d air-valvenvhen air is admitted to the transit-tubes at either of said stations.

7. In apneumzttic-despatch-tube system,

the combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a receiving terminal arranged to permit the insertion of carriers into said transit-tube, agate adapted to normally close the tube against the admissaid gate being. arranged to open inwardly of the tube to permit the passage of a carrier, and pneumatic means controlled (by a carrier and adapted to 0 en said gate in advance of the carrier and c ose said gate when the carrier has passed. I

8. In a pneumatic-despa tch-tube system, the combination of a transit-tube through which carriers are transmitted, a receivingterminal arranged to permit the insertion of carriers into said transit-tube, a gate adapted to normally close the tube against the admission of airat the receiving-terminal, said gate being" arranged to open inwardly or the tube to permit the passageoi a carrier, a trip extendin into said terminal in front of said valve an adapted to be engaged by a carrier when inserted into the tube, and pneumatic means controlled by said trip and adapted to close said gate when the carrier has passed.

9. The combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a gate extending across the tube and normall closed to prevent the passage of air through the tube, pneumatic means for opening said gti-te, a tri extendin into the path of the carriers in iront of sai gate, and said trip being adapted when engaged by 'a carrier to nurse the operation of said pneumatic means for opening the gate to permit the free passage of the carrier.

10. The combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a receiving-terminal at one end of saidtube, a gate extending across said tube near the terminal and being normally closed to prevent the entrance of air through said terminal, a piston connected with said gate, casing inclosing said piston, suction apparatus for ex hausting the air from said transit-tube, and means controlled by the insertion of a carrier into said terminal and adapted to alternately connect said casing at opposite sides of said piston with the suction apparatus to cause said gate to open in advance of the passage of a carrier and to close immediately thereafter.

11. The combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a gate extending across said tube to prevent the passage of air therethrough, said gate being pivotally mounted and adapted to swing in the direction of the travel'ot the carriers to permit the passage of a carrier, a piston conswore nected With said. gate, pneumatic means for controlling the position of said piston-gate,

and a trip controlling the action of said pneu i matic means and extending into the tube in front of said gate, said trip being adapted when engaged by a carrier to cause said means to open the gate.

113. The combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a gate extending across the tube for controlling the passage of air therethrough, said ate being pivoted at one side of the tube an adapted to swing to permit the passage of a carrier alongthe tube, a sector of a cylinder secured outside of thetube and arranged concentrically with the pivotal axis of the gate, a piston rigidly connected with saidgate and adapted to swim in said sector for controlling the position o the gate andpneumatic connections with said sector at opposite sides of said piston for operating said piston.

13. The combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a gate extending across the'tube for controlling the passage of air therethrough, said ate being pivoted. at one side of the tube an adapted to swing to permit the passage oi a carrier along the tube, a sector of a cylinder secured outside of the tube and arranged concentrically with the pivotal axis of the gate, a pis ton connected with said gate and adapted to swing in said sector for controlling the position of the gate, pneumatic connections wrth said sector at opposite sides of said piston for operating said piston, valves controlling said pneumatic connections, and a trip extending" into the tube in front of said gate and adapted to operate said valves to open thegate when said tripis'engaged by a carrier.

14. The combination of a transittube through which carriers are transmitted, a gate extending across the tube for controlling the passage of air therethrough, said gate being pivoted at one side of the tube and adapted to swing to permit the passage of a carrier along the tube, a sector of a cylinder secured outside of the tube and arranged concentric-v ally with the pivotal axis of the gate, a piston connected with said gate and adapted to swing in said sector for controlling the position of the gate, suction apparatus for exhausting the air from said tube iaid sectorbeing adapted to be connected 1th said suction apparatus at each side of said piston or with an air-inlet at each side of said piston, one or more valves controlling said air-inlets and suction connections and normally urged into position for closing said gate, and a trip extending into the tube in front of said gate and adapted when engaged by a carrier to operate sai valve or valves to open the gate, substan' tially as described.

15. The combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted, a branch passage communicating with said ITO means for timin the closing of said air-valve.

16. The corn ination of a transit etube.

through which carriers are transmitted; a

valve adapted to admit air into the tube for driving the carriers; a cylinder and piston for controlling theopening and closing of said valve; suction apparatus for exhausting the air from said tube and cylinder; a by-pass connecting the spaces in said cylinder which are at opposite sides of said piston; and an air-passage connecting one end, of said cylinder with the interior of said transit'tube and adapted, when air is admitted to the transittube, to permit said air to enter the cylinder and shift said piston for opening said airvalve.

17. The combination. of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted; a valve adapted to! admit air into the tube for driving carriers; a cylinder and piston for controlling the opening and closing of said valve; suction apparatus for exhausting the air from "said tube and cylinder; a bypass connecting the spaces in said cylinder which are at opposite sides of said piston; an airpassage connecting one end of said cylinder with the interior of said transit-tube, to permit said air to enter the cylinder and cause said. piston to shift loropening said air-valve and a valve controlling the flow of-air from the transit-tube-into the cylinder, said valve being normally open and being adapted to be closed by a current of air entering the transittube from said air-inlet valve.

18. The combination of a transit tube through which carriers are transmitted; a valve adapted to admit air into the tube l or driving carriers; a cylinder and piston for controlling the opening and closing of said valve; suction apparatus for exhausting the air from said tube and cylinder; a by-pass connecting the spaces in said cylinder which are at opposite sides of said piston; an airpassage GODHGCtlHg one end of said cylinder with the interior of said transit-tube and adapted, when air is admitted to the transittubc, to permit said air to enter the cylinder and cause said piston to shift for opening said air-valve; and a check-valve adapted to prevent a return-flow of air from said cylinder toward the transit-tube,

19. The combination of a transit-tube through which carriers are transmitted; a

branch )assage communicating with saidtube an extending toward one side of the path (if the carriers and having therein an opening for admittin air to the tube for driving a -'c arrier along the same; suction a paratus l'or exhausting the air in advance 0 the carrier; a valve controlling the openin in said branch passage; a hollow rod exten ing into said branch passage through said valve and adapted to open and close said valve; a piston and cylinder for shifting said rod; suction connection for exhausting the air from sal d cylinder at one side of said piston, the interior of said cylinder on thegother side of the piston being 1n connnunlcation with the 111-, terior of said branch passage through said hollow rod; and a bypass connecting the op posite ends of said cylinder, all arranged to cause said air-valve to openthrough an in crease of air ressure in said branch passage and to time t 1e closing of said airvalve, sub

stantially as described.

20. The combination of a transit-tube through which carriers are transmitted; a downwardly-disposed branch tube communicating with the interior of said transit-tube and open at its lower end; a vertically-disposed cylinder below said branch and in al1ne.

nient therewith; a piston movably mounted in said cylinder and having a hollow rod extending upwardly into said branch, tube, said rod having an opening at its upper end communicating with the interior of said tube and having an opening communicating with the interior of the cylinder above the piston; means for exhausting the air from said cylinder below the pi. on; a by-pass connecting the ends of said cylinder; a valve mounted on said rod and movable into and 'out of position for closing the open end of said branch tube through the movement of said piston; and a valve adapted to close the opening at the upper end of said rod, said last valve being normally urged toan open position and being adapted to be closed by a current of air flowing upwardly throughsaid branch tube.

21. The combination of a transittube through which carriers are transmitted; a dowiiwardly-disposed branch tube communicating'with the interior of said transit tube and open at its lower end; a wz'ticallydisposed cylinder below said brain-h tube and in alinement therewith; a piston movably mounted in said cylinder and having a hollow rod extending upwardly into said branch tube, said rod having anopening communicating with the interior of said branch tube and having an. opening couununicating with the interior of the cylinder above the piston; means For exhausting the air from said cylin- 'dcr below the piston; a by-pass connecting the ends of said cylinder; an a1r-1n1etvalve mounted on said rod and movable into and outo'f position for closing the open end of said branch tube through the .n-iovcment of said piston; and a check-valve adapted to cut oil the communication between said cylinder v and open at its nccting one end of said cylinder of considerable movement of said and branch tube when the pressure in said branch tube falls below that in the upper end of the cylinder.

22. The combination of a transittube through which carriers 'are transmitted; a valve adapted to admit air into the tube for driving carriers a cylinder andpiston for con-t t trolling the opening and closing of said valve; suction apparatus for exhausting the air from said tube and cylinder; a by-pass connecting the spaces in said cylinder which are at oppol site sides of said piston; an air-passage eonwith the in- 1 terior of said transit-tube and adapted, when} air is admitted to the transit-tube, to permit\ said air to enter the cylinder and shift said piston for opening said valve; a rod connectmg said piston and air-valve, said rod having sliding connection with said valve to permit iston before the opening of said valve; am stops for l limiting the relative sliding of said rod and valve. i 23. The combination of a transit tube 3 through which carriers are transmitted; a l downwardly-disposed branch tube communicating with the interior-oi said transit tube lower end; a vertically-did l osed cylinder below said branch tube and 1n alinement therewith; a piston 'movably l and having an opening cominunicating with 41 110. interior of said cylinder above the piston;

means for exhausting the air from the cylin (ler belowthe piston; a by-passconnecting the ends of said cylinder; an air-inlet valve having a limited longitudinal movement on said rod and adapted to open and close the open end of said branch tube through the movement of said piston; a second valve located within said branch tube, having a limited longitudinal sliding movement on said rod and adapted to control the commumca tion between said branch tube and cylinder; said second valve being normally urged by ravity to open such communication and he upward to cut of? mg adapted to be carried the mruslnng ansuch communication by current when said air-inlet valve is open, and

a spring normally urging said pistonupward to close said air-inlet valve.

Signed by me at Chicago this '1 1th day of November, A. D. 1905.

JOSEPH J. STOETZEL.

lVitnesses:

FRANK J. RUBLY, A. J. A. Wrcmnns. 

